THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: RSS leader R Balashankar has said that he strongly stands by the allegation that there exists a nexus between CPM and BJP. “I haven’t said anything other than the facts. Positions have never lured me,” he said, rejecting rumours that he issued the statement as candidature was not given to him.

“I have decades-long experience in the party. I could have become an important leader at the centre or a union minister. But I rejected them as I was not ambitious or hungry for political power. After criticising the state BJP leadership I am getting phone calls constantly from different parts of the state. Even the grass root level workers concur with my opinion. Rejecting an assured candidate like me, BJP fielded another candidate in Chengannur, which indicates the nexus between BJP and CPM,” he said.

Meanwhile, the BJP-CPM candidates in Chengannur have rejected the allegations put forward by Balashankar. Saji Cheriyan the sitting MLA and CPM candidate of Chengannur asked Konni, Chengannur and Aranmula are sitting seats of CPM, then why it should enter into an understanding with BJP to retain these seats?